Papua New Guinea’s retailers and manufacturers alike reporting significant drops in revenue this year. How serious is the downturn?
Industry sectors
The ratings agency Standard and Poor’s is adopting a ‘wait and see’ attitude towards the O’Neill government’s nationalisation of the Ok Tedi mine and its owner, the PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP).
After a two-year investigation into the controversial Special Agricultural Business Leases (SABL) system, reports presented by two of the commissioners have found that only four of the 42 leases they examined had obtained landowner consent.
With Papua New Guinea’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) due to receive its first revenues next year, the Governor of the country’s central bank has given his approval. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund has sounded a note of caution.
The Papua New Guinea Government has increased its stake in mobile phone company Bemobile, following the collapse of a deal with the Fiji National Provident Fund.
Lukim PNG Nau 2013, a Papua New Guinea tourism promotion event designed to attract national and international operators and agents, has been a huge success, according to both the PNG Tourism Industry Association and PNG Tourism Promotion Authority.
The Californian-based Neptune Pacific Line has agreed to buy a 50 per cent controlling interest in the Pacific Forum Line from the Samoan government.
In an escalation of the public debate on the ownership of the Ok Tedi mine, the Chairman of the Papua New Guinea Sustainable Development Program Ltd (PNGSDP) has accused the government of ‘stealing’ Ok Tedi Mining Ltd.
After negotiations which have lasted since January, Bank of South Pacific (BSP ) and Credit Corporation have entered into a ‘Share Sale and Purchase Agreement’, whereby BSP will acquire of Credit Corporation’s financial services businesses, if Credit Corporation’s shareholders approve.
Construction of Papua New Guinea’s national broadband network is progressing, with major milestones set be reached by mid 2015, according to technology consultant Sundar Ramamurthy, who is assisting the PNG government’s Independent Public Business Corporation on the project.